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The conservative government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis defended the policy as a necessary response to current economic challenges. According to them, working more will enable employees to earn more and companies to remain competitive. The companies concerned are mainly those with a continuous activity, or facing an increase in workload. The measure allows employers to impose a sixth day of work, based on a new management right enshrined in legislation.
The business daily Naftemporiki explained the details of this measure, pointing out that employers can impose this new organization without the consent of employees. The president of the Union for the Defense of Labor and the Social State (Enypekk), Alexis Mitropoulos, highlighted an ambiguity: neither the law nor the ministerial decision specifies the total weekly working hours for employees, leaving it uncertain whether employees will work 40 or 48 hours a week.
The left-wing newspaper Efsyn sees this measure as "yet another flagrant violation of labor law and collective agreements". It argues that economic insecurity forces employees to accept these conditions, to the detriment of their quality of life. Efsyn also criticizes the lack of social dialogue and consultation with the unions prior to the implementation of this reform.
The centrist newspaper Ta Nea also criticizes the measure, pointing out that it marks the gradual end of the five-day working week. Ta Nea is particularly concerned about the adoption of a nine-hour working day, the last hour of which would be unpaid, reinforcing concerns about the deterioration of working conditions.
The left-wing daily I Avgi goes further, calling this development "a return to a medieval world of work". It quotes opposition MP Giorgos Gavrilos, who describes a working landscape transformed into a "jungle", with workers' rights trampled underfoot to bring cheap labor to Greece.
The pro-government newspaper Proto Thema defends the measure, arguing that it is essential for combating undeclared work and boosting employees' incomes. According to the newspaper, the daily wage for the sixth day will be increased by 40%, giving workers a financial advantage.
Proto Thema also points out that Greeks already work more than the European average. By 2022, the average working week in Greece was 41 hours, outstripping other European countries such as Poland (40.4 hours), Romania and Bulgaria (40.2 hours). This shows, they argue, that Greeks are far from lazy, contradicting an oft-cited stereotype.
The introduction of this measure has far-reaching implications on Greek society. On the one hand, it aims to stimulate the economy by increasing productivity and regulating undeclared work. On the other hand, it raises concerns about workers' quality of life, work-life balance and workers' rights.
The government's main objective is to boost business productivity by allowing greater flexibility in human resources management. By regularizing undeclared work, the government also hopes to increase tax revenues and reduce the informal economy, which accounts for a significant share of the Greek economy.
However, this policy could have negative repercussions on workers' quality of life. Working six days a week with extended working days can lead to increased stress, fatigue and health problems linked to overwork. Critics point out that these working conditions could reduce job satisfaction and employee commitment, thus affecting their long-term productivity.
The next steps for the Greek government include assessing the impact of this measure on the economy and on workers. It is crucial to monitor how this reform will affect different sectors and society as a whole. Dialogue with trade unions and workers' organizations will be essential to adjust policies and ensure that workers' rights are protected while pursuing economic objectives.
The government is likely to face growing opposition from trade unions and left-wing political parties. Social dialogue could play a key role in resolving conflicts and adjusting policies to better meet workers' needs while achieving economic objectives.
